“I wanted to make something that had no parameters for anything: for lyrics, for any kind of set structure, or for any commercial thing,” Oli Burslem told DIY in March.
The Yak frontman wasn’t kidding. Their debut album ‘Alas Salvation’ is a stroll through Arkham Asylum with Fun House playing over the tannoy. “No parameters” doesn’t do the record justice – it’s completely unhinged.
Opener ‘Victorious (National Anthem)’ sets the maniacal tone. Buzzsaw guitars and Burslem’s primal rally tangle wildly in chaotic union. Think ‘New Fellas’ era Cribs if they’d swapped the studio lager for acid. ‘Smile’ creeps at ‘Gimme Danger’ levels of sleaze with bloody slashes of ‘Red Right Hand‘. The hypnotic and tormented reverberations of ‘Take It’ are noises that Fat White family could only dream of nailing on record.
These far reaching influences give the London trio a shapeshifting quality that makes them feel familiar one second and unique the next. ‘Harbour The Feeling’ snakes between Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club and the Sex Pistols in glorious ear-splitting fashion.
Yak also have a reputation for producing the goods live. They’ve recently finished a wild tour with fellow Schizophrenic amp-melters King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. The parameters of Patterns may need some reinforcing.
‘Alas Salvation’ is the debut of the year so far, make no mistake. DIY
Patterns, Tuesday 7th June 2016
Tickets are a meager £8.80 and are available instore at Resident and online at See.
Words by Andy Baker
